Quick Connect

Dining Hall Unveils App

Jenny Gregory | 01/17/2013

by Emily Grooms
CLEVELAND, Ga. (TMCNews)–Menus on demand, hours of operation, and easy feedback are a few features of the Dining Hall’s new “App on Campus,” an application for smart phones and tablets.
“Now you can sit at your desk and build your meal before you even leave your room. Students can determine what they’re going to eat for each meal,” said Dining Service Director Ron Pearlstein. “This should help alleviate waiting too long in a line in the Dining Hall, too.”

“Today’s generation is about ‘give me information now, and give it fast,'” Pearlstein noted. “We created an app that is easy to download, easy to access, and simple to view.”

Pearlstein noted the app would aid as a resource for quick communication for campus wide information as well as a positive recruiting and retention tool. “We will now be able to provide information to students’ parents,” Pearlstein said. “They will see our hours of operation as well as what’s available at every meal for their son or daughter to eat.”

While providing easily accessible nutritional information is one of the key features of the app, “App on Campus” is advantageous to the fast-paced generation as well as the health-conscience, Pearlstein noted: “It will also create awareness of our menu items, special events like late night breakfast, themed meals and daily specials and promotions at Outtakes.”

“The app provides a quick view of Dining Hall hours of operation as well as allows students to plan their week and schedules around certain meals they want,” he said.

The idea for “App on Campus” originated from Chartwells online menu system, which, according to Pearlstein, has been in developmental stages for several years. The app is synced with the online menu system, keeping information up-to-date and easy to access, he said.

The website enables customers to view the day’s menu and its nutritional information, something Truett-McConnell students requested in a bi-annual survey provided by Chartwells.

Not convinced to download “App on Campus” yet? Pearlstein stated once the app gets out to the masses, Chartwells will be able to run special promotions on specific days, like, Caribbean hat day at the Dining Hall, or free cake pops at Outtakes from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesdays. “We’re now advertising our first set of complementary basic cooking classes to begin in March,” Pearlstein added. “There will even be a competition at the end.”

Do you have a suggestion for Chartwells? What about an idea for a specific theme night or a new meal choice? Pearlstein stated Chartwells wants to hear about the students’ ideas, which is why there is a feedback tab located in the app that sends the information straight to Pearlstein.

Find “App on Campus” in the official app store for your smart phone or tablet. Once downloaded, search for Truett-McConnell College and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the easily accessible menus and features of Chartwells new “App on Campus.”

###
Emily Grooms is a Truett-McConnell English major and a freelance writer for the college.